Cloth merchant shot dead in Udaipur

Udaipur: Unknown assailants shot dead a 30-year-old cloth merchant in Goverdhan Vilas area of Udaipur on Saturday. His body was spotted by a passer-by on Saturday morning after which he informed the police. The murder took place past midnight, police said.

The deceased was identified as Rakesh Khatwani, a resident of J block of Goverdhan Vilas area. His two-wheeler was found a few yards away from his body.

"Rakesh owned a cloth store and was also involved in money lending business. He had dropped his family at home after returning from market and left the house around 9pm claiming to return within a few minutes," said Ravindra Charan, SHO, Goverdhan Vilas police station.

When Rakesh didn't return till 12pm, his wife got worried and informed their relatives. They started a search for Rakesh but couldn't trace him until morning, when his body was found.

The deceased had sustained a bullet shot in the right side of his chest.

Police are relying on CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the assailants. Family members too were clueless on reasons behind the murder as Rakesh didn't have animosity with anyone.

Loot could be one of the probable reasons for the murder, police said.